In a world of catastrophic climate change, is it even possible to prevent the loss of thousands of species?

Pauline gestured into the vast atrium of London Ark, with its tier upon tier of enclosed, artificial habitats. The huge edifice of hanging gardens and meticulously regulated environments was a far cry from its origins in the old Regent's Park Zoo. And it was only one out of almost a hundred such structures, scattered all over the world.

You could argue that this idea is already present in many zoos, since there are a number of zoological organizations that participate in conservation efforts. However, Brin is suggesting something else.

See this story on the Doomsday Vault, a real-life genetic ark for agricultural diversity.

Compare Brin's idea with the life bank from John Varley's 1977 novel The Ophiuchi Hotline.